Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Science
  4. / Biology
  5. / Animals & Wildlife
  6. / Reptiles
  7. / Snakes

by Abraxis on September 1st, 2006

Abraxis

Question

Help answer this question below.

After a snake bite occurs, can cutting the skin with a razor blade and sucking out the poison really save the person's life? Why doesn't the person who does the sucking die from the venom?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 6 helpful answers below.

  • by Glenn Blaylock on September 1st, 2006

    Glenn Blaylock

    First of all, it depends on the snake. Cobra venom is a neurotoxin and does not spread via the blood. So, sucking out blood won't do any good. Rattlesnake venom, on the other hand works differently and does spread via the blood. So, sucking out blood and get some of the venom back out as well.

    The reason this does not kill the the person doing the sucking is because the venom has to get into the blood in order to do its damage. However, if the person doing the sucking has some kind of open sore inside his mouth, then the venom can get into his blood stream. This danger added to the danger from infectious diseases is one reason why it is now recommended that one use a suction devise instead of using one's mouth to do this job.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by gung-ho on September 1st, 2006

    gung-ho

    You just saw Snakes on a Plane too, huh? Good movie, but like most movies it takes a few liberties with the truth. You shouldn't cut the skin or suck out the venom with your mouth. Here's some advice on what to do if you or a friend is bitten by a snake (on a plane or otherwise) http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/gaston/Pests/reptiles/snakebitetx.htm

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Anonymous on December 11th, 2008

    Anonymous

    If you start to suck the blood, remember to not suck out all of it. It may be tempting, but it will probably kill the victim. probably

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Anonymous on September 25th, 2009

    Anonymous

    First of all, it depends on the snake. Cobra venom is a neurotoxin and does not spread via the blood. So, sucking out blood won't do any good. Rattlesnake venom, on the other hand works differently and does spread via the blood. So, sucking out blood and get some of the venom back out as well. You can drink alot of venom befor dieing.

    The reason this does not kill the the person doing the sucking is because the venom has to get into the blood in order to do its damage.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by shady on December 11th, 2008

    shady

    what works is getting the victim medical attention asap

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by malevolentbutticklis on December 11th, 2008

    malevolentbutticklis

    They have anti-venom that they can inject you with for most snake bites. My brother was bitten by a venomous snake and the wound looked HORRIBLE but after several courses of anti-venom he healed up and was fine.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading After a snake bite occurs, can cutting the skin with a razor blade and sucking out the poison really save the person's life? Why doesn't the person who does the sucking die from the venom?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Suck out snake venom
Suck out snake poison
Sucking out snake poison
How to suck out snake venom
Can snake venom be sucked out

Answerbag

a Demand Media company